Contemplative Bible Reading

Hebrews 8:1-2 (New Living Translation)

1 Here is the main point: We have a High Priest who sat down in the place of honor beside the throne of the majestic God in heaven. 2 There he ministers in the heavenly Tabernacle, the true place of worship that was built by the Lord and not by human hands.

Now and then, translators of the Bible give us a clear statement of importance. They make a big red flashing light with an accompany loud siren. Here is one.

THE MAIN POINT: (how can we miss this one?)

Jesus serves in the God-created heavenly place of worship. Jesus worships the Father God for us 24/7.

With such a representative on the job, what have we to fear? What is our worry?

God, help me with my unbelief.

Hebrews 1:9 (New Living Translation)

You love justice and hate evil.
Therefore, O God, your God has anointed you,
pouring out the oil of joy on you more than on anyone else.

The opposite of “justice” is “injustice.” That’s obvious, right? See the above verse where the opposite of “justice” is “evil.” And that leads me to the question:

What is “evil?”

We don’t talk about evil much these days. I guess we see the discussion of evil as evil or something like that. Here are some synonyms for evil:

 wicked, bad, wrong, immoral, sinful, foul, vile, dishonorable, corrupt, iniquitous, depraved, reprobate, villainous, nefarious, vicious, malicious;

No, we don’t speak of these things much anymore. Such talk is “intolerant” and nothing is more evil these days than intolerance. If we label something as “dishonorable,” we become dishonorable ourselves.

At this point in the blog I am supposed to give a short statement that solves this trap we’ve created for ourselves. Sorry, no solutions here. I guess we just need to step out of the mess we created and go back to calling evil things evil no matter how evil that makes us.

2 Timothy 2:23-26 (New Living Translation)

23 Again I say, don’t get involved in foolish, ignorant arguments that only start fights. 24 A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people. 25 Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people’s hearts, and they will learn the truth. 26 Then they will come to their senses and escape from the devil’s trap. For they have been held captive by him to do whatever he wants.

I don’t like verse 25. If I gently instruct a person with all my skill, charm, and general all-around brilliance, they will learn the truth.

Right? Wrong.

Perhaps, the verse says, God will change their hearts.

How did God get in the picture? This is between me and the lucky person who is learning at my feet.

Right? Wrong.

Why do I have to be wrong so often?

God, help me in my unbelief. Help me to truly understand the little, itty bitty role that I play in everything. Help me to understand how small I am, how great you are, and, therefore, how great is your grace.

2 Timothy 2:20-21 (New Living Translation)

20 In a wealthy home some utensils are made of gold and silver, and some are made of wood and clay. The expensive utensils are used for special occasions, and the cheap ones are for everyday use. 21 If you keep yourself pure, you will be a special utensil for honorable use. Your life will be clean, and you will be ready for the Master to use you for every good work.

These verses compare some Christians to some home utensils. Rich people, like me, have some utensils that are only used for special occasions while the remaining ones are used everyday.

Then verse 21 speaks of some Christians that can be ready for the Master to use. These Christians can be a “special utensil for honorable use.”

I don’t like verse 21. I don’t like the idea of “special Christians.” Here, however, it is right in front of me. This verse sure seems (how is that for hedging) to speak of some Christians who are reserved for special things and special use by the Master.

John 6:28-29 (New Living Translation)

28 They replied, “We want to perform God’s works, too. What should we do?”

29 Jesus told them, “This is the only work God wants from you: Believe in the one he has sent.”

The crowds came to Jesus. They wanted to know what they could and should do. Jesus tells them about the only work God wants:

Believe in the one he has sent

Gosh. There has to be more than this. Gosh. Isn’t that such a over-achieving, goal-driven, works-driven response? I feel like the general who was told to go wash in a river to be cleansed and healed. Surely God wants me to do more than that?

Perhaps I don’t fully understand what it means to believe. God help me in my unbelief.

Matthew 14:34-36 (New Living Translation)

34 After they had crossed the lake, they landed at Gennesaret. 35 When the people recognized Jesus, the news of his arrival spread quickly throughout the whole area, and soon people were bringing all their sick to be healed. 36 They begged him to let the sick touch at least the fringe of his robe, and all who touched him were healed.

Have you ever begged a doctor to look at someone you loved who was sick? I haven’t. Doctors are just here; hospitals are just here. You go to them and that is that.

I try to imagine the scene described in these verses.

A man bursts through the crowd to be within shouting distance of Jesus. His eyes are on fire and he screams as loud as he can, “Jesus, come over here. My son can’t walk, he can’t reach you. Come over here so he can touch the edge of your robe with his fingertips!”

That is all crazy, but that expresses the desperation that we should all have who come to the Savior and ask for the gracious gift of forgiveness. I try to imagine that desperation as well. God, help my unbelief.

1 John 4:12 (New Living Translation)

No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love is brought to full expression in us.

The second sentence here is haunting. That is a pretty big IF. God lives in me if I love others about me. If I sort of just like others about me, well, this verse doesn’t explain that situation. I might be stretching the meaning, but it seems like “sort of just liking” others isn’t what God encourages.

Hmmm. Perhaps this is a translation error or some excuse that will make me feel better. Perhaps I should avoid this “sort of just liking” others and delve into the full expression of His love.

God, help me in my unbelief. Help me to avoid little runs around what You wish for me.

Matthew 10:16-18 (New Living Translation)

16 “Look, I am sending you out as sheep among wolves. So be as shrewd as snakes and harmless as doves. 17 But beware! For you will be handed over to the courts and will be flogged with whips in the synagogues. 18 You will stand trial before governors and kings because you are my followers. But this will be your opportunity to tell the rulers and other unbelievers about me.

Jesus is sending His followers out to teach the world the good news. Jesus will provide an opportunity for His followers to tell the rulers of the world of the good news.

Wow! Great! Right?

Here come what is today known as “other duties as assigned.” The other duties include wearing chains and shackles while speaking to rulers.

Funny how God’s ways often don’t match with our ideas of the way to accomplish things. Funny how God’s ways cause us to jump back and seek another route.

Exodus 20:1-2 (New Living Translation)

Then God gave the people all these instructions[a]:

2 “I am the Lord your God, who rescued you from the land of Egypt, the place of your slavery.

God’s people, the descendants of Jacob who was otherwise known as Israel, came out of the land of Egypt and were heading to a new, promised land.

What did they know?

They had lived in Egypt for 400 years—20 generations of Egyptian culture. God didn’t want them to live as the Egyptians any longer. They were heading into Canaan.  God didn’t want them to adopt the culture of the people who lived there.

God gave them their own, unique culture. He gave them their culture through the law. The Ten Commandments began and summarized that law.

Matthew 10:16 (New Living Translation)

Look, I am sending you out as sheep among wolves. So be as shrewd as snakes and harmless as doves.

I have always loved this verse. Jesus is sending His followers into the world to speak of the Gospel. The world might eat them, and us, alive with savage brutality.

So, here is the advice, be smart, not naive.

At the same time, let the peace of God rule your hearts, minds, and behavior.

Magnificent.

Now, if I only would…